RESTAURANT RETURNS TO CRITTENDEN FAMILY

The Crittenden family is taking over its onsite restaurant Stillwater and plans to transform it into a new dining destination on the Mornington Peninsula.

As one of the Peninsula's oldest vineyards, Crittenden Wines has long been a favourite venue of locals and visitors. Founded in 1982 by Garry and Margaret Crittenden, the winery and cellar door are now managed by their children Rollo and Zoe Crittenden, and Rollo’s wife Linda operates the onsite accommodation Lakeside Villas.

In the 1980s and ‘90s, Garry and Margaret made a dynamic team: Garry became known for his exceptional cool-climate wines, while Margaret was one of the pioneers in establishing winery restaurants on the Peninsula. However, in the early 2000s, as Margaret’s health declined, the family decided to lease the restaurant; the Pouliers took it over and established

Stillwater, which has become a cherished dining destination over the past two decades.

The purchase of the restaurant by the Crittendens from Zac Poulier means the family can once again provide an exquisite food offering to complement their extensive wine selection. “We are beyond excited to have all the businesses on the property under the Crittenden family’s management once again,” said Zoe. Rollo said: “We can’t wait to share more details as we embark on this exciting transformation to create a leading dining destination on the Peninsula.”

To make way for significant renovations and a rebranding, the restaurant will close in June, with a grand reopening planned for spring. Stillwater will continue to operate as usual until the end of May, while both The Crittenden Cellar Door and Lakeside Villas will remain open and unaffected by the changes.